BillsFan17

Like I have said, you look at someone like Chad Pennington. Didn't have a huge arm but could put the ball anywhere and his placement was ideal. If you factor in the offense that Marrone is going to run and Barkley fits that to a tee. Like you said, with mechanics, coaching and pro programs you can add some zip to that ball. Anticipation, football acumen, and intangibles are things that can not be taught.

I admit, I have not seen Matt in person. I have seen plenty of USC football because I am a USC fan. I was gotten to at a young age and the whole OJ went to USC blah blah blah... I watched Matt from his win against Ohio State as a Freshmen to that huge win on the road against #4 oregon. I am almost 100% positive it was Kirk Herbstreit whom was calling that game... The way Matt played and the way they talked about Matt had me sold that what I was seeing was not just me. That others saw what Matt could offer the NFL. The kid IMO can make every NFL throw. That is more than I can say for most any in this class. I haven't seen a whole lot of Nassib. A game here a game there, and of course youtube. Nassib to me is a player that has no business even being discussed in the same sentence as Matt.

Although, I agree, if Barkley has the howitzer of an arm, the Chiefs never trade for Smith, and take Barkley first overall. However, in the same regard to project what will work in the NFL and what wont is not being fair. A lot of people have gone against what was projected of them. We obviously have Wilson being the most pressing example. Or how you need to be a tall QB to succeed while Brees, RG3, Romo, Dalton, etc are guys who succeed in this league against what the model is for success at the position. You can't project what will be and what wont be. As much as it is fun it is opinion not fact.

Exactly and Culpepper the guy with the "big arm" and the size you look for in a QB flamed out in Miami while Brees went on to do very good things with the Saints. Not just for the football team but for the community there. I am not going to sit here and act like Barkley has the greatest arm in the world. However, few QBs in the NFL possess the "cannon" that so many folks covet. We had Losman who had the arm strength and arm talent but couldn't put it together. Matt has touch, accuracy, high football IQ, knows how to get the ball to play makers and is the exact character Nix looks for in a first round pick. Helps that Matt started all four years... Spiller- Played all four years. Dareus- Started for all three years on campus at 'Bama Gilmore- Four year starter at SC. See a trend of the type of player Nix likes in his first rounder? Yeah, but people did not like Brees' deep ball or his accuracy stretching the field. No one will question Matt's ability to put the ball on a dime deep. Brees without a doubt had the better arm coming out but remind me how touted Brady's arm was coming out of college. I think to much is being made about "arm strength" and not enough about touch and accuracy.

You can pull up multiple videos of where Matt displays the arm to make all the throws. We had Losman whom I supporter big time and the kid had an absolute laser for an arm. However, the touch and accuracy were an issue. Matt can put the ball anywhere on the field. I would rather have a guy who can read whats happening in front of him, digest the information quickly and put the ball where only the WR can get it.. Then a kid who just tries to over match people with his arm and forces throw after throw.

Is that right? To be fair Barkley and Landry Jones were highly coveted throughout the years. Folks were talking about how they couldn't wait to get their hands on Wilson from Arkansas when I was barking for Mallett to be drafted by Buffalo. In hindsight the next class always looks better. Unless you are Andre Woodson or Javon Snead. Guys who were highly talked about and folks couldn't wait until their draft year. Then their draft comes around and what happened? You can not always assume next years class will be better. Just like the guys I mentioned above were highly touted and fell off, the same can happen with Bridgewater and Johnny Football. i.e. just as an example what if this played out Bridgewater- Decided to return for his senior year with Louisville. Thus, there goes the class's top QB. Johnny Football- Not fully invested in becoming the best. A lot of Matt Leinart here. A kid who is more concerned with the after party than the game it self. JOhnny has shown some of that mentality early in his career. I mean the kid is already picking fights with graduate assistants over a silly spring practice INT. Plus being 6'1" is not going to help. Tajh Boyd- Well no one was talking about this guy before the LSU game. Now, the bar is high and the 6'1" Boyd leaves scouts wanting more. Doesn't display great touch/accuracy on deep to intermediate routes. Not as elusive as Manziel or Russell Wilson so his height will be a factor... Now, I am not saying any of that is true or that is what I think about those guys. I am just making a point of what can happen to next years class. The same way those things have happened to other players in the past. More notable and topical are what we are seeing with Barkley and Landry Jones.

Matt Barkley. Say what you want about the kid's arm but the ball placement from Matt is the best in the class. The Bills brass them selves has said you do not need a cannon to win in this league. There have been plenty of players, whom on paper, have all the measurables you look for in a prototypical QB. Yet, have failed because they didn't have it between the ears. If you look at someone like Pennington whom didn't possess a "cannon" but was accurate and lead the Jets very well before the injuries. Matt has signature wins in his career that not many of these other prospects have too boot.

1) If Buffalo does go WR in the first, they will have to take a QB in the second. 2) Brown IMO is going in the first round. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Brown is the first ILB off the board. Ogletree's DUI might have helped facilitate that but still. 3) Other than Cordy Glenn, Buddy Nix does not throw up smoke screens. The guy is more straight forward than anything else. We have seen that in various drafts as well as contract negotiations with current players. i.e. telling Fred Jackson they will take care of him. Ultimately, Buffalo gave FredEx that contract.

DT, like I said on BBMB, as long as the Bills take Barkley they will be in good shape. I am not trying to come across as a troll or anything BUT everytime I see Barkley being mentioned I get excited at the possibility of Matt. When your GM says in regards that you would have had to be one of the worst teams in the league to have a shot at Matt last year... With Buffalo now having their shot. I can't see them passing. I am also a die hard Islanders fan. I remember leading up to the draft when Tavares was being torn apart and listening to how Duchene would be the better overall player. With Tavares you were getting a Spezza type and with Duchene you were getting Sakic. John's game was being torn apart left and right because of all the tape on the kid and how high the bar was set. Barkley in similar fashion has been highly regarded since being a freshmen in high school. Followed that up with some serious success at USC and despite this year being a "down year" the numbers were still pretty darn impressive.

To be fair are they similar prospects? IMO, I would take Austin over Jackson. I fore one would def take Austin at #8 overall. I never factor into measurables because how many physical specimens have ended up being busts.

http://www.cbssports...eports/18866954 Hows that for a working link. Clearly states that Nix tried to put it out there that they thought he was a guard. ALmsot 100% CBS is not some guy in his basement.

Find me as "billsfan" over on boards.buffalobills.com then talk about reputation. I come here more often than not just for different insight. Seldom post here because I tend to stick to the message board on the Bills webpage.

Really? You are that guy... This is why I stick to the Bills Message board on their site.. GM Buddy Nix eventried to start a rumor that Glenn was a guard, not a tackle, according to Buffalo news columnist Jerry Sullivan.

Apparently Jerry Sullivan reported in regards to the Nix rumor... Regardless, I do admit Nix has been very straight forward.

I could be wrong but "A few days before the draft, Buddy Nix came out in a press conference saying he didn’t believe that Cordy Glenn was a tackle in this league. Nobody knew that Nix was playing games with the rest of the NFL" That was from nomorelinks... I can't post the link here for one reason or the other. Ed Kilgore ‏@kedwinkilgore 45m At #Bills draft preview. I think #Bills go qb @ 8/ Barkley if there. #Nix thinks top qb's this draft can be franchise guys. #wgrz https://twitter.com/kedwinkilgore/st...47031721906176

The fact that the kid never came in for a visit all but takes him off the list IMO.

After hearing the way Nix/Whaley spoke about Barkley today. I am hard pressed to believe they would pass on Matt. Keep in mind that Nix also threw a lot of misdirection about Cordy Glenn last year during the process.

I am usually BillsFan over on the BuffaloBills.com message board but on a day like today I would love to rejoice with all Bills fans! SUPER MARIO BABY